Full Breakdown
United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Rocket Launches Despite Booster Anomaly
2/13/2026, 1:35:35 AM
Launch Overview and Mission Details
On February 12, 2026, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 4:22 a.m. EST, carrying the USSF-87 mission for the U.S. Space Force. This mission involved deploying two Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP) satellites, designed to monitor activities in geostationary orbit, which is approximately 22,000 miles above Earth. The launch marked Vulcan's fourth flight and its second national security mission since being certified for such operations in March 2025.
Technical Anomaly During Ascent
Shortly after liftoff, an anomaly occurred involving one of the four solid rocket boosters, specifically a GEM 63XL motor built by Northrop Grumman. Approximately 20 seconds into the flight, a burn-through was observed in the nozzle of the booster, resulting in visible sparks and an unusual rolling motion of the rocket. Despite this issue, ULA officials confirmed that the rocket maintained its trajectory and successfully delivered its payloads to the intended orbit.
Gary Wentz, ULA's vice president of Atlas and Vulcan programs, stated, “Early during flight, the team observed a significant performance anomaly on one of the four solid rocket motors. Despite the observation, the Vulcan booster and Centaur performed nominally and delivered the spacecraft directly to geosynchronous orbit.” ULA is currently reviewing technical data and imagery related to the anomaly and will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the root cause.
Historical Context and Previous Anomalies
This incident is not the first for the Vulcan rocket; a similar burn-through occurred during its second certification flight in October 2024. Following that event, ULA undertook extensive testing and analysis to address the issue, which ultimately led to the rocket's certification for national security missions. The Vulcan rocket is intended to replace ULA's aging Atlas V and retired Delta IV rockets, with plans for 16 to 18 launches in 2026.
Payload and Mission Significance
The primary payload for the USSF-87 mission, the GSSAP satellites, are crucial for enhancing the U.S. Space Force's ability to detect and characterize disturbances in geostationary orbit. These satellites provide "neighborhood watch" services, improving flight safety for all spacefaring nations. The mission also included a secondary payload, a propulsive EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) ring, which carries additional research and development payloads.
Official Statements and Future Implications
The U.S. Space Force confirmed that the mission was successful despite the anomaly, stating, “The USSF SYD 80 team will work closely with ULA per our mission assurance space flightworthiness process before the next Vulcan national security space mission.” ULA's interim CEO, John Elbon, emphasized the company's commitment to addressing the anomaly and maintaining the launch schedule, which includes a backlog of national security missions.
Conflicting Reports and Next Steps
While ULA has confirmed the successful deployment of the payloads, the exact nature of the anomaly and its potential impact on future launches remains under investigation. The timeline for the next Vulcan mission may be affected as ULA works to resolve the issues identified during this launch.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Early during flight, the team observed a significant performance anomaly on one of the four solid rocket motors. Despite the observation, the Vulcan booster and Centaur performed nominally and delivered the spacecraft directly to geosynchronous orbit,” — Gary Wentz, ULA Vice President of Atlas and Vulcan Programs
- “The integrated U.S. government and contractor team is reviewing the technical data, available imagery, and establishing a recovery team to collect any debris. We will conduct a thorough investigation, identify root cause, and implement any corrective action necessary before the next Vulcan mission,” — Gary Wentz, ULA Vice President of Atlas and Vulcan Programs
This launch underscores the complexities and challenges of modern space missions, particularly those involving national security, and highlights ULA's ongoing efforts to enhance the reliability of its launch vehicles.
